Brennan helps keep finals alive
Flames win cliffhanger
TOWNSVILLE Flames forward Lisa Brennan has kept her team’s finals hopes alive by nailing a late three- pointer in a thrilling overtime victory over the Mackay Meteorettes.
Scores were tied 74- 74 at the end of regulation time at Townsville Basketball Stadium on Friday night and the Meteorettes went ahead by two, late in the extra period before Brennan capped her massive 31- point and 16- rebound effort with the game- winning triple.
Her stellar performance was backed up by big games from teammates Mia Murray ( 23 points, 9 rebounds) and Jacqui Zelenka ( 15 and 4) as the Flames rallied to an important 85- 84 win over the three- time defending champions.
Flames coach Brady Walmsley was full of praise for Brennan and said it was great to see his team tough out a victory and stay in the hunt for the QBL finals.
“The ball bounced to the right person at the right time and Lisa was able to make a big shot in front of our home supporters,” he said. “She really stormed back into form in what was our most important game of the year and that speaks volumes about her character and determination.
“It was an awesome game to be involved with, Mackay came out strong after half- time and got out to a 10- point lead but the girls worked hard to rein it in and we were able to come up with the right play at the right time.”
The Flames moved to a 9- 5 record after the nailbiting win and will need to win all of their remaining fixtures to have any chance of stealing the final playoff spot.
Friday night wasn’t as successful for the Townsville Heat as they fell 65- 52 to competition leaders the Meteors.
The Heat shot at just 30.8 per cent from the field and connected on only one of 22 three- point attempts to fall short against a Mackay side who have lost only one game all season.
The Heat and Flames will be on the road this weekend for a double header against Brisbane and Bundaberg in the penultimate round of the QBL.